Midlands Air Ambulance marks 80,000th mission

Midlands Air Ambulance crews have completed 80,000 missions, with the landmark coming as they treated a man with a serious leg injury.

Rob Davies, from the charity, said the "major milestone" highlighted the level of demand in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, the West Midlands, and Worcestershire - a patch he said made it the busiest air ambulance in the UK.

"This achievement is a powerful reflection of the dedication shown by our crew and the wider emergency services response teams," Mr Davies said.

The latest patient was treated on the scene by the charity's critical care crew before being flown to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

Mr Davies added: "Our capabilities have come a long way since that very first mission.

"We're truly grateful to everyone who has played a part in helping us reach this milestone, who, at times, operate in challenging and dangerous environments to deliver critical care to those in urgent need."

Midlands Air Ambulance was founded and started operating in 1991, with its first mission being a woman who had suffered a fall on the mountainside in Hay on Wye in Powys and needed emergency pre-hospital medical care.

"With continued investment and unwavering support, we now operate 24/7 delivering hospital-level care directly at the scene of a traumatic or medical emergency," Mr Davies said.

Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.